Trusted devices: FAQ

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

When you try to view or edit sensitive info related to your Microsoft account—like your credit card details—we might ask you for a security code first, to make sure that only you can get in to your account. But you can designate a PC as a trusted device. On trusted devices, you don't need to enter a security code each time you try to access sensitive info.

You can mark a device as trusted just by selecting a check box. When you're prompted to enter a security code to verify your identity, select the I sign in frequently on this device. Don't ask me for a code. check box, and we'll no longer ask you for a code.

If you don't currently have any trusted devices associated with your Microsoft account, here's how to mark the first one:

If you no longer have access to a device you marked as trusted (for example, if your laptop is lost or stolen), we recommend that you remove all trusted devices from your Microsoft account at once, to help keep your account secure. (You can always trust devices again later.)

Microsoft has made some changes to how you keep track of your trusted devices. For example, you no longer have to provide a unique name for each trusted device (or remember which is which!) You can also trust as many devices as you want—there's no longer a limit.

For these reasons, we've removed the list of trusted devices from the security info page. If you don't sign in to a particular trusted device at least once every two months, we'll automatically remove it from your Microsoft account. This helps keep your account secure in the event that a trusted device is lost or stolen without you realizing it. You can always trust a device again later.